OFFICER OF THE MONTH - JULY 2011: BENJAMIN R. MORENO

Submitted by Cari Lamberg on Tue, 2011-07-05 12:17

Officer of the Month

Band of Brothers

Although I greatly appreciate being recognized and selected Police Officer of the Month by the Chicago Police Memorial Foundation. I feel that others deserve this award far more than I do. The brave police officers, living or deceased, who continue the struggle against the forces of evil, have earned this award far more than my poor power to add or detract from it. Accordingly, I accept this award in their honor.

My police career started in the United States Air Force 1977-1982 where I worked as a Security Police Specialist, and matured enough to learn the value of education, ultimately completing my PhD from Capella University this past spring, and the value of brother-sisterhood and the concept of functioning as a team. After being discharged, I joined the CPD in December of 1987 and was assigned to the 010th District. A great place to learn, and worked for and with the best bosses and veterans that where there at the time. I remember thinking how fortunate I was to be there. Never wanted to leave because of the camaraderie and people I worked with, learning a valuable set of survival skills in the process such as keeping your head down. As it turned out, I learned that lesson the hard way.

On the evening of 16 September 1997 at approximately 2308 hours my partner and I responded to a shots fired call by Beat 1050 Sergeant K. Erickson #2085 originating from the middle of the 2200 block of south Hamlin. As we pulled up to the heavily tree lined street I observed a white Chevy trying to pull away from the area. As I approached the driver’s side of the car and began to speak to the driver, suddenly 5-6 automatic gunshots rang out from above the tree line on the Westside of Hamlin. As I dove for cover, I felt a burning sensation and could hear the bullets whizzing by my head and striking the vehicle in front of me. As I quickly recovered and reached for my handgun, I felt something warm and wet running down my right hand so I placed the handgun in my left hand. I had sustained a gunshot wound to my right hand over the second web space exposing the tendon, which required surgical skin grafting. After trying to pinpoint the origin of the gunshots and being assisted by police officer Reynaldo Valdez #19146. We displaced and ran across the street repositioning ourselves behind another vehicle. I vividly remember a hysterical citizen who lived on the block coming up to me and offering a kitchen towel to help stop the bleeding. As I was walking to the ambulance, I heard glass breaking as responding units were entering the house where the shots were fired from a second story bay window. I remember thinking I wanted to rush in with them, and how proud I was and still am to be a part of this great band of brothers. The offender, who was sentenced to 38 years for attempt murder, had successfully fired upon six police officers with a B/S Norinco 7.62 caliber semi-automatic rifle, which was recovered along with a B/S Remington .12 gauge shotgun. Incidentally, the offender had stated to detectives that he planned to shoot up the police station. As a result, I was meritoriously promoted to Sergeant in 1998 and assigned to the 009th District, and am currently working in Unit 701 Public Transportation since 2003. After all was said and done, I came home from the hospital and remember my 5-year-old son, coming up to me and looking at this large bandage on my hand, and I intuitively knew what he was thinking. I said, “Its okay son, I’m going to be okay.” Then I realized it’s all about, family, duty, honor and courage.

Therefore, in recognition of the police officers that were fired upon or helped in the investigation and subsequent arrest of the offender, and all the unsung heroes involved in this incident. I humbly accept this award in their honor:
Police Officer Reynaldo Valdez Star #19146
Police Officer Scott Pierson Star #19485
Police Officer William Soto Star #16815
Police Officer Rafael Garcia #7688
Police Officer Javier Celio Star #19460

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Sgt. Moreno 'Band of Brothers'

Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 2011-07-18 15:22.

'Band of Brothers' 010th District reunion at Martin's 2058 W. 22nd Place on Sat. 23 July anytime after 6:00 p.m. Come one, come all!

Sgt. Moreno 'Band of Brothers'

Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 2011-07-19 12:22.

Art, I appreciate your candor and honesty and your point is well taken. Even though almost 15 years has passed since the incident it is still as relevant today as it was then. When it comes to Officer safety communication is the key, Rey Valdez and I walked in blind we had no idea what was awaiting us. Yes, armed with that information Rey and I would've approached the situation differently, may be parked the car about a block away and come in through the alley, who knows. Either way that information, especially about the guns, should have been disseminated to all members of the 3rd Watch via PDT or whatever. Because even though we don't live in the past, history has a way of repeating itself if we don't learn from it. Lack of communication between the tact teams and the beat cars, and sometimes between each other has always been the Achilles' heel of police work. In general, we need to work on that.
Although I don't harbor any ill feelings about what happened that day, except for the shooter Jabari Ellis who has a projected parole date of 8/29/2016, I gain solace in the fact that he's been locked up ever since. Like you so eloquently put it, 'Moreno lost some skin,' we could have lost a lot more. Hopefully we can still learn from this. Thanks again Art, for telling the truth the way you perceived it.
Sgt. Moreno

Rainy Nite

Submitted by Art Harb on Mon, 2011-07-18 19:21.

I remember that night as well. My partnerGG) and I had made a narcotics arrest in that area. The young honor roll student(offender) had given us information about drugs/guns being stored in a house. Being new on the job(3yrs) we relayed the information to the WC who then gave the info to tact team and which didn't include us. Tact team hits the two flat and recovered 3-4 guns and a few thousand dollars(no arrest). About 2 hours later there was a call of shots fired 2224 S. Hamlin,we and a tact car responded , parked in alley approx 2214 S. Hamlin, didnt observe anything coded and left. Less than a minute later after we leave there's a call of shots fired at police at the same location. We respond along with several other units. Officer Moreno was shot in hand and his vehicle had a few gapping bullet holes with AK47.

It turns out that the offender was pissed that the police took his guns/usc and wanted to kill a police officer. Officer Moreno and his partner had no clue about the prior incident and basically walked into an ambush.

A lack of communication caused this incident, had Moreno and his partner knew about prior incident i'm sure they would of approached the location differently. At the end of the day bad guy was taken into custody, Moreno lost some skin but it could have been much much worse.

Benjamin Moreno

Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 2011-07-12 15:30.

My wife and I would like to take this opportunity to thank the CPD Memorial Foundation, especially John Gordon, for the work they do and the award of recognition I received this afternoon. It was really nice, and done with much class, dignity and respect. Our two worlds parallel in the sense that supporting families is first and foremost on the agenda, followed by duty, honor and bravery. We have the same goals in mind, the welfare of our families and completing the mission when duty calls. Thanks again!
Sincerely, and Respectfully
Sgt. Moreno

Band of Brothers

Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 2011-07-11 10:50.

Hey Tim, great hearing from you and you still owe me a jam session! Great times Tim we'll always have New Years Eve good times, good times. We were all recruits at one time Tim now you are the Master Blaster!
Ben

Tim Kucharski

Submitted by Anonymous on Fri, 2011-07-08 15:33.

Ben we sure did have some great times! I learned alot from you, thanks fer being a great FTO! Thanks again for taking the time to teach me the right way to do policework and to have fun while doing it. God bless you, your friend and recruit , Tim Kucharski # 11902

Band of Brothers

Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 2011-07-07 12:44.

Kent, I appreciate and respect what you said. I can think of no higher praise than to say that you were and are a role model and mentor to the officers on your watch. When I made Sergeant, I wanted to be like you Kent. Fair but firm, a great sense of humor, and always willing to listen to reason. I only hope I haven't disappointed too much. I always tried to give the p/o the benefit of the doubt because, and I know this sounds cliche, we've been there, we know how it is. I only hope it's been enough.
Ben

Congratulations, Sgt. Moreno!

Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 2011-07-07 07:24.

I remember it well... a very dark, crisp night, raining on and off, heavily at times. I was approaching the stoplight at Hamlin. There were two people at the bus stop, but the street was eerily empty beyond that. No cars or people anywhere in sight. As I was slowing to a stop, several loud gunshots rang out to my right. I recall seeing the people at the bus stop diving to the ground and scattering for cover. I called in the shots fired and began scanning the street, to the right, for any movement. I thought I saw someone running towards the far end of the block and headed that way. Back-up units came in from everywhere. It had been a relatively quiet shift but Hamlin Avenue suddenly went from deserted to bursting with beat cars and blue lights all around.

Several minutes went by with chatter on the radio from the responding units who stopped this guy or that guy, but no weapons were seen or recovered. Then the dispatcher said they had just gotten a call from a man at an address on Hamlin reporting that his front window had just been shot out. As the search now shifted to that location, and cars began to arrive, several more shots rang out. Benny and Reynaldo Valdez were fired on, and another police vehicle, several doors down, took a bullet as well, in front of the house whose window was shot out. Somehow, the shooter was able to elude the swarm of responding units, but was grabbed several hours later by the 010th District Tac team.

Though I retired six years ago after 27 years in the CPD, that night remains seared in my memory as the ONLY night in my career (fortunately), that I saw blood on the blue shirt of an officer wounded by gunfire, and that includes 5 years in Cabrini-Green in the late 70's-early 80's, 5 years in 015 and another 5 years in 010. I believe that is a testament to the bravery and dedication to duty of the 'band of brothers' that Sgt. Moreno has described. My congratulations to you, Ben, and to all members of our proud profession, and thanks to all for doing what you do... Kent Erickson (CPD Sgt, Retired)